Energy for our ports

World Port Terminal Operators clubbed to use alternative energy as a source to power the terminal and ports. Our resources are limited but our creativity is unlimited. Due to the power shortage, tariff is sky high particularly that of K-Electric, making Pakistan’s exports uncompetitive in world markets. At the same time, Karachi’s industrial area and its port are water-starved, and so is Gwadar Port. It is imperative to opt for desalination to make desalinated water available not only our industry and ports but also the public at large.

But how to harness our natural resources to generate power and produce desalinated water? Alternative energy is big news, as 147 gigawatts of renewable energy went online in 2015. Having enjoyed the downward spiral in fuel prices, the forecast is that oil may touch $ 70 per barrel, making it imperative to switch to solar and wind energy and hydropower.

To ports, worldwide alternative energy is becoming an ever-popular choice, as a more efficient solution that is also environment-friendly. For ports renewable energy is becoming a cornerstone of their business. Cutting cost, opting for solar arrays and wind turbines. DP World recently started the biggest distributed solar rooftops project in the Middle East. In all, 88,000 solar panels are installed at DP World in Dubai, such as warehouses, offices, car parks in the Jabel Ali free zone. Dubai expects to save 22,000 tons of carbon annually. More panels may be launched at Mina Rashid. The UAE Vision 2021 is committed to working towards a carbon-neutral future.

 

India is not lagging behind, so APM Terminal in Mumbai is generating solar power up to 361,000 KWT per year from rooftop panels. It intends to install solar panels on ship-to-shore gantry and machine houses to get an extra 220,000 KWT per year. It is unfortunate that our leased terminals and port have yet to install rooftop solar panels for power generation.

Cost is a notable factor for ports looking to use alternative energy solutions. The port of San Diego on the US west coast reduced gas emissions and cutting utility cost. The port generated 251,000KWH of solar power by spending $ 341,000 on the solar power system. The result: cost savings of roughly $ 251,000 in 2014-15.

Our government can educate users to install solar rooftop panels. Returns on the investment required may not be visible for some years, but greenhouse gas reduction is what really matters.

By looking at natural ways of generating energy, ports cannot take daily operations into account, without seeing the bigger picture: less carbon emissions mean a healthier future for the population.

Ports are sky nodes in the supply chain. They are a small part of the total supply chain emissions, they play a critical role in creating a sustainable supply chain.

Our port authorities’ concession agreements make it imperative that the concessionaire on BOT basis may generate its alternative energy and water for its use, enable us to save both power and water, to avoid burdening the local population with power cuts and water starvation. Let us begin from ports and give incentives to all industries to generate power, water and have water treatment plants, to save our marine life and our beaches. I hope that our port authorities will consider proposal. They could visit the UAE, Mumbai and other regional ports to see the use of alternative energy. They could consider replicating their use in Pakistan, because it is not too late yet. The World Bank has already published Pakistan’s solar map and is willing to fund projects as well. Our circular debt has crossed the Rs 400 billion mark, and thus IPP may cease operation. Let us kick-start renewable energy projects taking the World Bank onboard. (The writer is maritime adviser to the Karachi Chamber of Commerce and Industry)